Gas compressor and refrigeration system employing same



P. A. WELLER Sept. 3, 1963 GAS COMPRESSOR AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME EVAPORATOR Filed June 25, 1961 CONDENSER INVENTOR.

V E n i P w United States Patent 3,102,400 GAS CQMPRESSOR AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEM EMPLUYING SAME Peter A. Weller, Farmington, Mich, assignor to American Radiator & Standard Sanitary Corporation, New

York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 23, 1961, Ser. No. 119,166 9 Claims. (Ci. 62-498) The invention relates to gas compressors, as for example refrigerant gas compressors.

One object of the invention is to provide a gas compressor which includes chamber means for containing a pool of liquid and a supply of compressible gas thereabove, a rapidly rotatable scoop means arranged to pass into and out of the liquid pool so as to alternately trap slugs of liquid and gas, and a fluid slinger means arranged to receive the slugs of gas and liquid from the scoop means for imparting high centrifugal force values to the liquid slugs so as to enable them to compress the gas slugs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gas compressor means having relatively few moving parts.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a refrigerant compressor wherein the compressor motor can be arranged in direct driving connecting with the fluid-pumping mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a simplified refrigerant compressor which can. be manufaotured as a relatively small, low-cost device, and which has a relatively long service life.

Other objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings the single. FIGURE illustrates a refrigeration system having features if the invention incorporated therein.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that phraseol ogy or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing, there is shown a mechanical refrigeration system including a refrigerant compressor 10, condenser 12, refrigerant receiver 14, expansion valve 16, and evaporator 18. Each of the condenser, receiver, expansion valve and evaporator may be of conventional construction, and the details thereof are therefore not shown in the drawing.

Compressor It) comprises a chamber means 29 having an inlet 22 for gaseous refrigerant from suction line 24. The lower portion of chamber means 2d constitutes a sump for containing a pool of liquid refrigerant 26, while the upper portion 28 of the chamber means is adapted to contain low pressure gaseous refrigerant admitted through inlet 22. As shown in the drawing, wall portion 39 of the chamber means is constructed to have a flat wall surface for mounting the end wall 32 of an electric motor 34. The other end wall of motor 34 is formed by wall portion 3 6, which may be formed integrally with annular side wall 44.

Each of end walls 32 and 36 is preferably constructed to support antivfriction bearings 38 and seals (not shown) for the hollow rotary motor shaft 40. Affixed to shaft 4015 the conventional rotor structure 42, and afiixed to the motor casing wall 44 is the conventional stator structure 46. It will be understood that each of the stator and rotor is provided with windings and that the stator windings are connectable to a source of electrical energy so that when the stator windings are energized the rotor 42 and shaft 4d are rotated at high speed.

The lower end of shaft 4-0 connects with a hollow disclike member means 48, which is preferably, although not necessarily, circular in the cross section plane taken perpendicular to the shaft axis. As shown, disc member 48 is provided with internal passages 50* extending from its outer periphery into communication with shaft 40. Disc member 48 mounts a fluid slinger means defined by two outwardly radiating conduit portions 66, two axially extending conduit portions 62, and two inwardly radiating conduit portions 64. The defined fluid slinger means functions as a mechanism for rapidly centrifugally whirling slugs of liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant at high speed to thus cause the liquid slugs to compress the gaseous slugs. In order to supply the slinger means with slugs of -refrigerant, there is provided a scoop means generally designated by numeral 52. In the illustrated embodiment the scoop means comprises two separate scoop tubes, each of which includes a lower end portion 54, and an upwardly extending portion 56 located closely adjacent the axis 58 of shaft 40:

An elongated slot or opening 65 is provided in conduit portion 62 so [that compressed gas can enter the internal passages Sit in disc member 48. The spent slugs of liquid can be discharged from the conduit 62 via an inwardly extending conduit 64.

It will be noted that the position of flat wall 30 is such as to cause the hollow shaft 40 to assume a tilted condition whereby each of the scoop tubes 54 is during one portion of the shaft 40 rotation located within the pool of liquid 26 and is during another portion of the shaft 40 rotation within gaseous atmosphere 28. Each of the scoop tubes is provided with an intake port 66 in the leading wall surface portion thereof so that during high speed rotation of shaft 44) each scoop tube dips into the liquid pool 26 for causing liquid to enter its port 66 and travel upwardly in the axially extending portion 56. As the scoop tube passes upwardly out of the liquid pool gaseous refrigerant from space 28 enters the respective port 66 so as to follow the preceding slug of liquid refrigerant into scoop tube portion 56. Thus, during high speed rotation of shaft 40 each of the scoop tubes successively traps slugs of liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant, and conveys same to the outwardly radiating conduit portion 60.

Rotation of shaft 40 causes the liquid slugs and gaseous slugs to be centrifugally thrown outwardly in conduit portions so that the relatively heavy liquid slugs exert a compressing action on the gas slugs to thereby compress same, either before or by the time they have reached the axially extending conduit portions 62. When the highly compressed gas slugs have reached conduit portion 62 they encounter the passage areas 50, to thus flow inwardly in disc 48, thence through hollow shaft 40 into the fixed cap 68 which is secured to the end wall 36 of motor 34. The arrangement is such that the gas is in a relatively high pressure state when it is passed into the line 78 leading to condenser 12.

The liquid slugs in conduit 62 are of course heavier than the compressed gas slugs and they accordinglytend to remain at the periphery of the disc member 48 instead of traveling inwardly in passages 50. The outward centrifugal force of succeeding slugs in conduit portion 60 exerts a pumping force against the conduit 62 slugs so that. the liquid slugs are directed. radially inwardly in conduit portion 64 and then discharged through the open end of the conduit portion back into the chambermeans 20 so as to re-enter the pool of liquid 26. It will be noted that the open ends of conduit portions 64 are disposed radially outwardly of an imaginary cylinder defined by the orbital path of ports 66. Thus, the open ends of conduit portions 64 are spaced further from the axis of shaft 40 than the spacing of scoop tube ports 66 from the shaft 40 axis; this is required in order to obtain a net liquid head between the inlet and outlet to cause the liquid to flow through the conduit system. Thus, if the discharge ends of conduit portions 64 were located nearer axis 58 than inlet ports 66 an excessive centrifugal back pressure would exist in each conduit portion 64 so that the velocity head due to scoop tube rotation might not be suflicient to overcome such a back pressure.

In my device as shown in the drawing the fluid scoop tubes orbit in a relatively small diameter path as measured from axis 58, whereas conduit portions 66 of the fluid slinger means orbit in a relatively large diameter path around axis 58. Thus the scoop means may be considered to have a relatively small orbital diameter, and the fluid slinger means may be considered to have a relatively large orbital diameter. This oribtal diameter relationship is important in that it enables the liquid and gas slugs to be taken into the rotary apparatus closely adjacent axis 58 and to then be thrown or slung outwardly in conduit portions 60 by centrifugal action; as a result of this action the gas charges are efliciently compressed by and between the heavier liquid charges. The inwardly radiating conduit portions 64 cooperate in this compressing action in providing a centrifugally-acting body of liquid which acts compressively on the oncoming gas charges to force them into passages 50. If conduit portions 64 were not present both the liquid slugs and the gas slugs would merely be centn'fugally thrown out of conduit portions 62 without any appreciable quantities of the gas discharging into passages 50. With conduit portions 64 present in the apparatus the centrifugally acting body of liquid therein transmits a pressure back on the liquid and gas in portion 62, thereby compressing the gas in portion 62 and forcing it into passages 50 under pressure.

The illustrative drawing shows scoop tubes 52 and conduits 60, 62, and 64 as formed integrally with one another and separately from the disc member 48; however, these elements could be fabricated in any number of appropriate component parts, or they could be fabricated as one integral construction if desired. Also, the configuration of the various components could be varied while still retaining operability of the scoop tube action and liquid slug-gas compressing action as above specified. The drawing shows two scoop tubes, but it will be appreciated that more or less numbers ofscoop tubes can be employed; preferably the number and spacing of the scoop tubes is so chosen as to provide a centrifugally balanced construction.

In the illustrated embodiment the supply of gas-compressing liquid is obtained from a liquid replenishment line 72 leading from a point between expansion valve 16 and evaporator 18. Line 72 communicates with a small chamber 74 which is provided with a port 76, the flow therethrough being controlled by a valve element 78 which is carried on a link 80. A pivotal arm 82 and ball-type float 84 are provided for suspending the link .80, the arrangement being such that any tendency of the .level of liquid 26 to be lowered causes a lowering of the ball float 84, with a resultant opening of port 76 and a :resultant admission of liquid from line 72 into the chamber means 20, to thus restore the liquid level to its desired value Any tendency of the liquid level to rise above the desired value causes a raising of the ball 84 and a resultant closing of the port 76, with a consequent stoppage or throttling of liquid flow in line 72. The general arrangement is such as to maintain a relatively constant liquid level in chamber means so that the scoop tube 54 can always be assured of dipping-into and out of the liquid pool during energization of motor 34.

The illustrated refrigeration system, and particularly the refrigerant compressor, has relatively few moving parts, requires relatively few external controls, and can be manufactured at relatively low cost. The arrangement can be constructed in'various capacities, ranging from relatively small units to the relatively large capacity units. Various modifications may of course be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Gas compressing means comprising a chamber means for containing a pool of liquid and a superjacent supply of gas to be compressed; a rotary scoop means of relatively small orbital diameter arranged within the chamber means to dip into and out of the liquid pool so as to alternately trap charges of liquid and gas there- Within; and fluid slinger means of relatively large orbital diameter communicating with the scoop means and rotatable therewith so as to receive the liquid and gas slugs whereby to enable the liquid slugs to develop high centrifugal force values for thereby compressing the gas slugs; said fluid slinger 'means having separate discharge openings for the gas and liquid, each located remote from the pool.

2. Gas compressing means comprising chamber means for containing a pool of liquid and a replenishable gas atmosphere thereabove; powered rotary scoop means of relatively small orbital diameter arranged to pass into and out of the liquid pool so as to alternately trap slugs of liquid and gas therein; fluid slinger means of relatively large orbital diameter connected with the scoop means to receive the alternate slugs of liquid and gas whereby to enable the liquid slugs to develop high centrifugal force values on the gas slugs trapped therebetween; and means for discharging the compressed gas from the slinger means to a location outside of the chamber means; said fluid slinger means including at least one outwardly extending gas-liquid condiut portion communicating with the scoop means, and an inwardly extending liquid conduit portion communicating with the outwardly extending conduit portion; said inwardly extending conduit portion having its inner end disposed radially outwardly of an imaginary cylinder defined by the scoop means orbital diameter, and said inwardly extending conduit portion opening into the chamber means above the pool of liquid whereby to discharge liquid thereto; the aforementioned gas discharge means communicating with outer end portions of the slinger means conduit portions whereby to receive gas in a highly compressed condition.

3. In combination, chamber means for containing a pool of liquid and a compressible gas therea-bove; a hollow rotary powered shaft extending through an upper wall portion of the chamber means at an acute angle to the horizontal so as to assume a tilted position; a fluid slinger means of relatively large orbital diameter carried on a portion of the shaft within the chamber means and having its interior in fluid communication with the hollow space in the shaft so as to be capable of discharging compressed gas thereinto; and scoop means including at least one scoop tube of relatively small orbital diameter extending downwardly from the slinger means and in fluid communication therewith so as to pass into and out of the liquid pool during rotation of the shaft whereby to trap slugs of liquid and gas, and deliver same to the slinger means; said fluid slinger means having a liquid discharge conduit arranged to direct liquid into the chamber means after said liquid has exerted a compressing action on gas located within the slinger means interior.

4. In a refrigeration system including a condenser and evaporator in series flo-w relationship; a stationary liquid sump having connections with the liquid and gaseous portions of the system for thus containing a pool of liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant thereabove; and rotary means for compressing gaseous refrigerant located within the sump, including scoop means of relatively small orbital diameter for rapidly passing into and out of the liquid refrigerant pool to thereby alternately trap liquid slugs and gas slugs therein, centrifugal force means of relatively large orbital diameter for receiving the slugs of liquid and gas from the scoop means to cause compression of the gas slugs, and means for delivering the compressed gas to the condenser; said centrifugal force means including a discharge liquid conduit arranged to direct liquid into the chamber means after said liquid has exerted a compressing action on gas located within the centrifugal force means.

5. The combination of claim 4, and further comprising means for maintaining a relatively constant liquid level in the sump, including a liquid line from the sump to the refrigeration system and means responsive to variations in liquid level in the sump for controlling the flow of liquid in said line.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the liquid level responsive means comprises a float valve disposed in the sump.

7. In combination, fluid chamber means for containing a pool of liquid and a compressible gas thereabove; a rotary powered hollow shaft; a gas passage structure carried by said rotary shaft for delivering gas thereto; scoop means of relatively small orbital diameter movable with said shaft and arranged to pass into and out of the liquid pool so as to alternately trap slugs of liquid and gas therein; and fluid slinger means movable with the shaft and including a first outwardly radiating conduit portion of relatively large orbital diameter extending from fluid connection with the scoop means, a second conduit portion for accepting fluid from the outer end of the first conduit portion and discharging gas into the aforementioned passage structure, and a third inwardly radiating conduit portion connected with the first and second conduit portions for receiving liquid therefrom and discharging same back to the chamber means.

8. In a refrigeration system having a refrigerant condenser and evaporator, the improvement comprising the combination of a liquid sump for containing a pool of liquid refrigerant and for accepting gaseous refrigerant discharging from the evaporator; means for compressing gaseous refrigerant located within the sump, including rotary scoop means arranged to pass into and out of the liquid refrigerant pool to thereby alternately trap liquid slugs and gas slugs therein, and centrifugal force means for receiving the slugs of liquid and gas from the scoop means to cause compression of the gas slugs; means for delivering the compressed gas to the condenser; and means for maintaining the liquid pool in the sump including a liquid replenishment line extending to the sump from a point in the system located between the condenser and evaporator.

9. Gas compressing means comprising chamber means for containing a pool of liquid, said chamber means having a gas inlet to provide a gas atmosphere above the liquid pool; powered rotary scoop means of relatively small orbital diameter arranged to pass into and out of the liquid pool so as to alternately trap slugs of liquid and gas therein; powered rotary fluid slinger means of relatively large orbital diameter including an outwardly radiating conduit portion for receiving slugs of liquid and gas from the scoop means, and an inwardly radiating conduit portion for discharging liquid back to the chamber means; and a passage structure arranged to accept compressed gas from said conduit portions and discharge same externally of the chamber means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Prewitt Aug. 8, 1882 

4. IN A REFRIGERATION SYSTEM INCLUDING A CONDENSER AND EVAPORATOR IN SERIES FLOW RELATIONSHIP; A STATIONARY LIQUID SUMP HAVING CONNECTIONS WITH THE LIQUID AND GASEOUS PORTIONS OF THE SYSTEM FOR THUS CONTAINING A POOL OF LIQUID REFRIGERANT AND GASEOUS REFRIGERANT THEREABOVE; AND ROTARY MEANS FOR COMPRESSING GASEOUS REFRIGERANT LOCATED WITHIN THE SUMP, INCLUDING SCOOP MEANS OF RELATIVELY SMALL ORBITAL DIAMETER FOR RAPIDLY PASSING INTO AND OUT OF THE LIQUID REFRIGERANT POOL TO THEREBY ALTERNATELY TRAP LIQUID SLUGS AND GAS SLUGS THEREIN, CENTRIFUGAL FORCE MEANS OF RELATIVELY LARGE ORBITAL DIAMETER FOR RECEIVING THE SLUGS OF LIQUID AND GAS FROM THE SCOOP MEANS TO CAUSE 